The idea behind this blog is very simple, to post images and information on a 1001 boats
and while we’re at it raise a little money for charity.
If you visit and enjoy the site please make a donation to the charities - links are on the right, just scroll down and donate a couple of Pounds or Dollars - Thanks

If you have details about a boat you would like to see featured please email me.

We are seeking contributing authors to join us and post on a regular basis - see details scroll down the right hand column

Friday, 29 June 2012

Fairey Duckling

Hugh Coryn wrote to say that he had recently acquired a Fairey Duckling, built 1962 still varnished complete with her original suit of Williams sails.

Although still usable Hugh's intention is make whatever restoration is necessary to bring her back to as near original as possible.

In the post war years Fairey produced sailing dinghies utilising techniques that had been employed in the construction of wartime aircraft. Fairey Marine output included the Firefly, Albacore, Falcon, Swordfish, Jollyboat, Flying Fifteen, 505 and International 14's along with the much smaller Dinky and of course the Duckling which was designed by Uffa Fox.

The hot moulding process was an adaptation to post war boat building of the method originally developed by de Havillands in the 1930′s for “stressed skin” wooden aircraft production, using layers of agba sandwiched together with glue over a male mould and “cooked” in a large oven called an “autoclave” By using true mass-production techniques, Fairey Marine were able to turn out vast numbers of identical boats at an unprecedented quality and price.

We want to create a collection of 1001 Boats. 1001 Boats which inspire, boats which fascinate, boats which captured the imagination of a small boy, boats which carry grown men to adventure, boats which are too important to be forgotten, boats which are beautiful, boats which are significant.Perhaps not 1001 Boats which you really need to “see before you die,” which was the inspiration for this blog, but your favourite boats, boats which are important to you.

They can be boats you have built, boats you have sailed, or boats which you just plain admire. Please email photographs and text which reveal a little of the story behind the boat and why it’s important to you.

Please Donate to our Charities

Two charities have been selected which deal with fundamental human problems clean water and curing cancer. Access to clean water continues to be a problem for millions of people around the world. “Unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all disease and kill more people than all forms of violence, including war.”

Let’s try and change that and help prevent the deaths of 4000 children who die every day through lack of clean water.

Cancer continues to be one of the major killer’s. It’s difficult to find anyone who doesn’t have family, friends or colleagues who have been touched by the disease. While remarkable progress has been made in the treatment of cancer there is still a long way to go. Helping to fund research is a way we can all contribute to this giant undertaking.

Please email photographs and text which reveal a little of the story behind the boat and why it’s important to you. It’s important to say that you must own copy write to any photographs, pictures and words which you send.

If you would like to get more involved we are seeking contributing authors who post regular items - please email if you would like to get involved.

Our aim is to have an interesting and extensive blog of boats which people can enjoy. If you like the blog then please use the links and to donate directly to two nominated charities.The most important part of all of this is the boats, so here’s the call to fellow bloggers, followers or anyone who has an interest, “there really is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

All words and photographs published on 1001 Boats are subject to copy write either of 1001 Boats or the original owner who has authorised their use. They may not be reproduced elsewhere in any form or medium.